This is truly an incredible place. It is located on Time Square. I visited three times each time…read more The food is absolutely delicious. The live band is amazing and the service doesn't disappoint. This time I ordered a coconut Mojito, Mango Glazed Salmon, and the Empanada sampler! The coconut Mojito was absolutely delicious and refreshing. The mango glazed salmon was prepared perfectly. It was flaky and tender, with fresh, ripe, sweet mango salsa on top. It was served with your choice of steamed white rice or yellow, rice and beans. The rice and beans were absolutely delicious and seasoned to perfection. Everything arrived at the table hot and fresh. The Shrimp and Chicken Empanadas were tasty! They had a crispy crust with a delicious savory filling! My partner said the chicken was better! Our server, Dahiana, was very pleasant and professional. She greeted us with a smile and was very accommodating. Lastly, was the live music. I must say I love coming to this restaurant mainly because of the live music it never disappoints. You truly feel like you are in a restaurant in Cuba. It is just an amazing

I've must of passed Havana Central so many times and never realized it was there I have to say,…read morecolor me impressed. Arriving for our reservation the place was packed. It's a loud and vibrant atmosphere. They have a pre-theater prefix menu which we decided on. Empanada app was 3 large empanadas and each one was flavored and yummy. Also opted for the guac and chips app just to have something a little lighter. Entrees are served with rice and beans. The pernil was excellent. Super tender and garlicky. The ropa vieja was also very good, with deep flavors. Dessert was the course that was disappointing, which was such a bummer after a great meal. The flan was definitely overcooked, so the texture was off. The cafe con keche was decent. The prefix is a great deal which included a drink and it was a lot of food All in all, Havana Central offers some wonderful Cuban flavors and a great choice for a pre-theater dinner. Bonus, if you are seeing Buena Vista Social Club, show your tickets and you get 15% off the bill.

Food: Excellent Service: Well paced and very pleasant…read more Ambiance: Inviting, pleasant

Stumbled upon Victor's after the matinee showing of Great Gatsby and was surprised at how upscale…read moreit was. By the unassuming entrance you'd never guess this was a fine dining restaurant. The decor is absolutely gorgeous and you feel transported away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You definitely need to make reservations as it gets booked up, but walk-ins are welcome to eat in the bar where they have a few cafe tables. Service was very friendly and prompt. And the food was delicious! I'm definitely coming back the next time I visit NYC.

Sometimes you don't need a fancy reservation... you just need a tiny spot, loud kitchen, and food…read morethat hits like a heavyweight champ. Walked into Margon Restaurant in Midtown and instantly felt like I found one of NYC's secret cheat codes. Small space, big flavors, zero nonsense. The kind of place where you're elbow-to-elbow with strangers but everyone's united by one thing... serious hunger. Ordered the Cuban sandwich -- pressed, crispy, loaded with roast pork, glazed ham, Swiss, pickles, and mustard. One bite in and I stopped talking... which never happens. This thing didn't just deliver... it showed up early and over-prepared. Then came La Bandera Dominicana Braised beef swimming in savory gravy, yellow rice piled like a mountain, black beans doing their thing, and sweet maduros sitting on top like the victory flag. Simple. Comforting. Dangerous... because now I want it every week. Place gets busy, gets loud, gets chaotic... but it moves like a well-oiled machine. Years of experience and zero attitude. Just good people making great food. In a neighborhood full of tourist traps, this hole-in-the-wall is throwing haymakers. Sometimes the best escape in NYC isn't a rooftop... It's a Cuban sandwich and a plastic tray. And honestly... I'd pick that every time. #nycfood #hiddennyc #midtowneats

The Food is pretty good overall. The beef stew falls apart nicely. The rice and beans are pretty…read moregood fillers too. Plantain is always good. My main complaint is that they are really stingy on portions. They always give 1 plantain and when I ask for more, the lady gives me a dirty look and says 1 is the limit. Took 1 star off since the meal is not filling enough for me, but I keep coming back because of the flavor.

Great service and flavorful food. The White Peach sangria wasn't very sweet but the mojitos packed…read morea (delicious) punch. Our group of three enjoyed three apps from the happy hour menu: chicken empanadas, chicken wingettes (sweet and spicy), and the ropa vieja. The portions were perfect for sharing. At some point, the lights are turned low and the ambiance shifts for dinner. The place fills up, so come early for HH or get a reservation. There is also a full service bar.

I had the shrimp dumpling which was very flavorful. The Cuban seasoning and spices made it great…read more There is a lobster lo mein on the menu but I had a veggie version. It was tasty. I went during restaurant week and the service was immediate. Drinks were served right when I sat down. The location is close to Bryant Park so very convenient. The restaurant has a unique Cuban-Asian flair and nostalgic with wood furniture setting.

I stopped into this restaurant for dinner and when I arrived I parked on the street nearby. I…read morewalked into a Dilly lit restaurant. I was greeted and sat and served by Carlos and he was nice! I ordered: Red Sangria Tostones Rellenos Pollo Al Mojo (chicken with garlic sauce) Rabo Encendido (oxtail with mashed sweet plaintains) The food was really delicious with my favorite being the Tostones Rellenos! It was a great experience all in all!

We were invited as guests to eat at Guantanamera, especially since I grew up cooking authentic…read moreCuban food, as well was Puerto Rican food. I can dissect every ingredient placed into a dish. I personally ordered the Cuban sandwich that cost $24. You heard that right, $24 for a sandwich, and expect it to be worthwhile for that price. I had to ask for mojo in order to eat the sandwich, and only able to eat 1/2 of it. All I have to say is, it tasted mediocre, and didn't have that expected Cuban sandwich flavor that a gastronomical Cuban cuisine expert would know right away. One of the person in my group, ordered the lechon asado plate, which comes with moro (congri), and yuca (cassava). The person who ordered this dish is diabetic, and cannot eat yuca that has 78 grams of carbohydrates. A substitution was requested, in which the waiter addressed the paying patron with a rude attitude that there is no substitution, either have it or omit it from the plate. He would not make an exception for another vegetable or food item. This lechon asado entree cost $30, and no substitution, if unable to eat such as starchy, extremely high carb vegetable. I didn't like the waiter's attitude. It was not welcoming nor prioritized our comfort throughout the meal. I wanted to walk out of the restaurant. Especially, since the waiter did not show any Cuban mannerism to the culture. The patron tolerated the incident, asked me to let's try their food and see how authentic and/or delicious it is. He gave me the yuca, even though he paid for this item, yet unable to eat it. A simple swap for another vegetable could have been accommodated. I ate the yuca, and noticed it was just boiled, and had no seasoning whatsoever. Cuban style yuca, should have that garlic mojo, or be seasoned with a little vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Not even mojo was given for this dish that should compliment it. I tasted the moro (at this restaurant it was known as congri). The flavoring did not taste Cuban style for this rice casserole. It was missing the savory sofrito of onions, garlic, pepper, cumin, and oregano seasonings. The lechon asado didn't have that expected flavor, either. Is this really a Cuban cuisine restaurant? For this place to be called a Cuban restaurant, is an overstatement. Whomever the chef is cooking in the kitchen, supposedly authentic Cuban dishes, needs a refresh course in how to season and properly prepare Cuban dishes. To be honest, the food had more of a Peruvian flavor than Cuban flavor. Very disappointed, since I was invited and eager to eat authentic Cuban food in which I didn't have to cook myself, that is a part of my everyday lifestyle. I have to say, the waiter from the get-go had an attitude with our group, and did not have proper etiquette to address us properly, as paying patrons, who spent over $300 at the dinner table. Secondly, the lechon asado entree, which comes with moro, and yuca (cassava), there is no food swap substitution, if unable to eat one of the items on the plate. If a patron is allergic to one of the items on the menu plate, such as yuca, it will become a too bad for you, situation. Thirdly, the ambiance, especially the lighting was very dark. There was a few artwork, but overall, the place needed some lighting at the table. You couldn't read the menu, unless you have a pocket flashlight. Overall, the food at Guantanamera was not up to par, nor authentic Cuban cuisine. Either this establishment changed ownership from the original Cuban cuisine owners, or are current owners (not of Cuban culture), who are oddly not well versed in Cuban cuisine. It may be that the chef cut corners to not make the effort to cook the food according to expected Cuban traditional ingredients. Maybe, the chef had a bad day and the food was not being prepared well, that was showing when we were eating it. When the bill was given, we were being rushed by the waiter who stand by our table and hovering throughout the entire time while trying to see and analyzed the amount charged. It was very uncomfortable and rude. He could have walked away for a moment while we settle what was being charged. In addition, the waiter never declared that there was an automatic gratuity before the order was placed or any time before that when we were seated. At the very end when he hand us the bill for us to pay, in which there were separate bills for each party, there was an automatic 20% gratuity added to each of the bills. The invited guests, and myself, have decided to NOT come to this restaurant ever again.

Went there for dinner before watching a play at Broadway. The place was very busy and we didn't…read morehave a reservation but they had a table for us right away for 6 people. I would say that this was lucky cause the place was packed. Generally loud but you can still talk with people on your party. One of the first things I look for is if a restaurant serves you water when you sit and here they do and the waitress would often make sure we were topped off. That is something that is always appreciated and noticed by me. The food was generally good and service was fast. I tried various dishes and while great tasting nothing really stood out like lots of the reviews said and I tried a bit of everything that was recommended in the reviews. (Even ox tail empanadas which sounds weird but weren't bad). I think the biggest appeal here is that it's 24 hours so you know you always have a quality place to go to that is great. I would recommend it to anyone in the area but I don't know if I would go out of my way for it. I know that if I'm watching another play, it is a great stop for either before or after.

Love, love, love Empanada Mama!!! Anytime I'm in the area, I stop by for my go-to empanadas: Bombay…read more& Viagra. The restaurant is open 24 hours and is the perfect place to go for those late-night cravings. One can sit at the full bar, in the dining area, or get items to go. The restaurant is always lively and patrons get seated quickly. The most I have ever waited for a seat is 5 minutes. There are more than 40 empanadas in corn or wheat shells to order. The menu celebrates diversity through its' empanada pairings. Greek - spinach pie, Cuban - ham, pork, and cheese, Americana - cheeseburger, Bombay - Curried chicken, Brasil - traditional ground beef, Hawaiian - ham, pineapple & mozzarella cheese and many more. Besides empanadas, there is a full menu of Colombian delights to eat including arepas, salads, sandwiches, soups, tacos and tapas. They have dessert empanadas as well. Love the USA empanada, which is apples & cinnamon baked and the Nutella & banana one. You can get it topped with ice cream as well. Really looking forward to my next visit.

What a delightful evening!!!! We came here by chance, as we checked in to our hotel and were a…read morebit hungry. Everyone agreed with my suggestion to eat Latin American food and we made a reservation at Buena Vista, not far away from our hotel and also not far from the theater. We came over a bit early, around 5:15 and were immediately seated. We were immediately impressed by the business model. It is a melange of Latin American and Iberian faire with exquisite curation. Their cocktails were absolutely delightful, I had a Pantalones en Fuego, others had an exquisite margarita with passion fruit flavor and a Daiquirí de Fresa, just amazing. Then we ordered interminable Hors d'oeuvres. Their ham croquetas and mushroom croquetas were the rage, as well as the tostoncillos ibéricos and ceviche limeño, The main courses followed, a paella valenciana for two, the magret de pato, a delicious duck dish, and a grilled Argentine parrilla. Not bad for four people. Dessert included churros and tres leches. And of course, a bottle of a great Verdejo. Service was just flawless. We had several staff members all contributing to making our Father's Day evening special. All around us it was festive, with plenty of well dressed Spanish speakers in several tables, and the accents of a half a dozen Spanish speaking countries. Plenty of gringoes too. A beautiful collection of diversity. We left happy, ready to see "Oh Mary" and wanting to return

Stopped by here with my other half to get a quick bite. It's a cute little spot that was around the…read morecorner from the hotel. We got the fries and the beet salad. Both were great to snack on. Our server was friendly and attentive. Will have to make another visit to check out more of the menu next trip to NYC.

I ordered the baked chicken with yellow rice and a beef empanada for lunch while I was at work…read more Overall, it was a good, filling little lunch platter. The yellow rice was tasty and had good flavor, and the chicken was nicely cooked. The yuca and vegetables were also a nice touch and gave the plate some variety. I really enjoyed the sweet plantains that came with the meal, but I honestly wish they had given more! If I had the option, I would have ordered two portions of plantains because they paired so well with the chicken and rice. That was probably my biggest takeaway from the meal. I also wish there had been an option to add black beans. The yellow rice was good on its own, but black beans would have made the plate feel even more complete. Overall, it was moderately tasty and definitely satisfying. It wasn't the most amazing Cuban meal I've ever had, but it was a solid option for a quick work lunch, and I'd order it again. Haven't been in person because the last Tinas near my job was moved so I Uber'd!

It's not authentic Cuban cuisine . I've had real authentic Cuban cuisine and this certainly isn't…read moreby any stretch of the imagination.

Food was great service was great. Sat at the bar and had their steak and eggs as well as the Mac…read moreand chicharron, both were amazing! No pictures because I ate it too quick. Nice dinner style Latin food place would recommend if you are in the area!

Stopped here after a concert at Racket NYC -- Only a few steps away, and also very close to the…read more33rd street PATH station. Food all came out fresh and in reasonable time. We were glad to find a place in the area open past 10-11pm (this place is 24 hours!), and we thoroughly enjoyed sharing a few apps. Nachos were a decent size and very yummy - also enjoyed the oxtail empanada and fish tacos. Chicken flaunta was a bit dry. Truffle fries had really good truffle flavor! Would definitely come back again for late night Latin food. Its on my list!

Sophie's is a takeout restaurant that offers limited seating. Everyday they have a special meal…read moreoption that is the special of the day. Most people flood in for the baked chicken special which is affordable priced. The service is quick

I stopped by Sophie's Cuban Cuisine in Midtown and I'm glad I did. Why have I not been to one of…read morethe Sophie's in such a long time is beyond me after eating there last night? Here you can find great food at a great value in NYC. I walked in and looked over what they had left about an hour before closing and tried their pork chops in red sauce for the first time. I usually get the pork chops with onions and peppers, but I'm glad I had these pork chops in the red tomato based sauce over yellow rice and black beans, with mixed vegetables. Twenty bucks gets you all this in a twin pork chop meal and a bottle of water. Ask for some of the red sauce gravy poured over the chops and rice. The pork chops; though sitting in that red sauce, still have caramelized edges offering that texture your palate will enjoy along with that savory red sauce. The sauce is so good and has a touch of tanginess and bouquet that enhances the whole experience. I even got another pork chop on top, given it was so good. The rice is cooked properly and only the mixed vegetables, particularly the zucchini, at the end of the day were slightly overdone; though, the broccoli was still just right. The black beans were perfect. All the Sophie's are clean from my experience; though, I have never been in their restrooms. You can dine here with confidence and the people working at this Sophie's were very nice and welcoming. No food porn photos accompanied this review, because I dove in and tore it up before I knew it. 3.7 stars!